It could be one of the most significant...

EMPLOYMENT RULE.

October 2, 1986

PEKING — EMPLOYMENT RULE. It could be one of the most significant reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping. The employment system is being loosened. Workers will have the option of quitting when their contracts are up, and bosses will be able to fire those they consider incompetent or lazy. In the past, jobs were assigned by the government and they were for life. The change does not affect the 67 million employed by state-run companies. China is celebrating the 37th anniversary of the communist state and more than a million people jammed into Peking's main square Wednesday. Millions of others, excused from work for two days, traveled to family reunions. Government leaders threw a party for 20,000 people. The official English-language China Daily said in a National Day commentary that the party wants Chinese to uphold ''firm ideals, high morality, good education and self-discipline.''